Washington Redskins: Rookie, Free-Agent Midseason Progress Report

Another year of salary cap restrictions limited what the Washington Redskins were able to do in free agency. In fact, three defensive reserves are the only veteran newbies who have had a chance to make an impact in D.C.

Things are just as thin in the team's 2013 draft class. Four of the seven players selected have made either limited or no contributions at all.

The other three are showing varying degrees of progress. A pass-catching playmaker is making great strides, while the team's top pick has found his first experience of life in the pros tough going.

The midseason progress report for the team's newcomers begins with those seven draft picks.

Chris Thompson, RB

Brad Mills-USA TODAY SportsChris Thompson has failed to make an impact in the return game.

After showing potential as a dangerous return man during preseason, fifth-round pick Chris Thompson has failed to make an impact in real action.

The former Florida State dynamo has been usurped by veterans Joshua Morgan and Niles Paul in the return game. Thompson was counted on to provide a spark for a new-look special teams, but he has been missing in action in recent weeks.

Darryl Tapp, OLB/DE

Darryl Tapp has not quite delivered on the promise he showed during preseason. As a specialist pass-rusher, Tapp has a key role to play on this defense but has so far produced only one sack.

The 29-year-old is supposed to be a key weapon in sub-packages. He needs to prove he merits such an important responsibility.

The pass-rushing potential should be huge every time Tapp joins the field alongside starters Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan. But until the ex-Seattle Seahawk and Philadelphia Eagle starts to do more, this defense will lack the flexibility to show credible wrinkles to an offense.

Tapp's quiet showing is symptomatic of the struggles of all of the team's new faces. The front office found it tough trying to regenerate the group that won the NFC East in 2012.

Not enough of the newcomers have performed to or above expectations, and that is directly linked to a 2-5 record at midseason.